Creative Writing offers students the opportunity to explore their favorite genres as a reader, writer, and industry professional. Before embarking upon the writing process, students will often review model texts that showcase the best of the genre. Students are then given the freedom to write works that are meaningful to them while being a part of a positive and proactive writing community. This community works together to sharpen one another’s skills and encourage every individual to find the power in their own voice. They also learn how to navigate the writer’s marketplace, so every student has the opportunity to enter the publishing world as early as 6th grade.

Media students interact with the ethics of writing, including journalism and media design. They are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to create meaningful digital content that makes a difference in the world!

Fifth Grade
Fifth grade students meet once every six days for a 60-minute class to learn basic creative writing and journalism vocabulary and skills. The course encourages students to explore their approaches to writing and expand their creativity through imaginative prompts and games. Grade five Creative Writing students also collaborate with the Author’s Cafe and read their works at other presentations at the school. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to Arts Out Loud!


Sixth & Seventh Grade
As a result of successfully completing creative writing coursework, students will improve their self-expression and original voice, and develop a greater understanding of genre-specific writing techniques, including creative nonfiction, poetry, short stories, and more. Students will compile their writing samples in a portfolio and publish their work in online youth publications. Students will read and model exemplary literature to further their understanding of the writing craft. Students will also understand the basics of media writing and contribute to the school newspaper, podcasts and videocasts.

Seventh grade students are required to submit their writing for publication, while sixth grade students have the opportunity to do so at their own discretion.


Eighth Grade
Students have two classes a day in creative writing and one class a day in journalism, media design, and production. We cover the following topics:

• Scriptwriting: Students compose one-act plays that will be performed by students in the Theatre program. These plays offer the students the opportunity to learn how to write for the stage and screen.
• Audition Preparation/Portfolio Building: Students prepare writing from various genres to include in their high school audition portfolios and practice timed writing for the audition essay.  
• Exemplary Literature Study: Students read and discuss exemplary models of literature such as samples from The House on Mango Street and other novels so they can understand the techniques and how to apply them to their own writing.
• The Writer’s Market: Students will learn how to market themselves as writers and get their pieces in front of the right audience. They will interact with various types of submissions, industry standards, and other tips and tricks.
• Journalism: Students study journalism ethics, case law, writing and editing for publications and broadcast.
• Media Arts: Students learn basics of InDesign, Photoshop and audio production.

 Arts Out Loud! is written, designed, and published twice a year by our Creative Writing Students. Our 8th Grade majors oversee the digital design and publication process, and all grades contribute written work. A hard copy can be obtained by contacting the Main Office.
 

 

Once in the fall and again in the spring, Creative Writing students will gather for an evening of sharing their art in an open forum. The students will prepare in class to present their art for an audience. Students from other arts will have the opportunity to perform as well! Parents, friends, and community members are encouraged to come and support these students as they share their proudest achievements.